recant

Meaning

To withdraw or repudiate a statement or opinion formerly expressed, especially formally and publicly.

Synonyms

retract

abjure

forswear

withdraw

deny

rescind

repudiate

disavow

disown

abnegate

renounce

pull back

disclaim

repeal

reverse

revoke

cancel

negate

refuse

disaffirm

unsay

recall

resile

countermand

refute

retire

retreat

swear off

taboo

take back

undo

back

🔙

repudiate one’s word

abolish

annul

back away

back out

back-pedal

backspace

backtrack

ban

bar

call off

confute

contradict

debar

disallow

embargo

forbid

interdict

Translations

αναιρώ

rétracter

retractarse

abjurer

widerrufen

αποκυρήσσω

abjurar

abiurare

renunciar

υπαναχωρώ

ritrattare

désavouer

smentire

se rétracter

verleugnen

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɹəˈkænt/

Etymology

First attested in 1535, from Latin recantare (“to sing back, reecho, sing again, repeat in singing, recant, recall, revoke, charm back or away”), from re- (“back”) + canto (“to chant, to sing”), frequentative of cano.